Crafting Your Wedding Hair Piece: A Guide

Wedding hair accessories can be expensive, but they don't have to be. If you're looking to save some money, add a personal touch, or create a family heirloom, making your own hairpiece for your wedding could be the perfect solution. From floral headbands to rhinestone headpieces, there are endless options for customising your bridal hairstyle. Whether you're aiming for a vintage, romantic, or bohemian look, you can create a hairpiece that's unique to you and your wedding.

Floral hair combs

To make your own floral hair comb, you will need:

• A hair comb (in a size that suits the weight and thickness of your hair)
• Floral wire and wire cutters
• Flowers (fresh or faux) and greenery
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Floral tape (optional)

Begin by securing the floral wire to your hair comb. You can do this by using pliers to tuck the sharp end of the wire under itself, making sure that the cut ends are placed on top of the comb so they don't scratch your head.

Next, attach your base elements, such as fern leaves or small branches, by wrapping the wire around the comb and the base element, in between the teeth of the comb.

Now it's time to add your flowers. If using fresh flowers, be sure to use cold floral glue, as hot glue can damage the blooms. For faux flowers, hot glue will work just fine. Play around with different sizes, colours, and combinations of flowers to create a unique arrangement. Remember to tilt your flowers in different directions as you glue them in place for a more natural look.

Finally, make any necessary adjustments to the shape of your design. If you've used fresh flowers, be sure to remove any "cobwebs" of hot glue. And that's it! You now have a beautiful floral hair comb to wear on your wedding day.

DIY flower crowns

A flower crown is a whimsical and romantic wedding hair accessory that can be made at home. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating your own flower crown:

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need floral tape, floral wire, fresh flowers, scissors or wire cutters, and possibly some greenery. When choosing your flowers, consider how long they will last. If you want to preserve your crown by hanging it to dry, opt for flowers like lavender and rosemary that are commonly found dried. Alternatively, if you want to make your crown in advance and store it in the fridge, be aware that some flowers, like ranunculus and poppies, wilt quickly.

Next, cut your flowers so that the stems are around 1.5 to 3 inches long. You will also need to measure the circumference of your head and cut your wire to twice this length. Create a wire loop to fit your head, and use the extra length to wrap around the loop again for stability.

Now it's time to start adding your flowers. Place one of your centre flowers on the wire loop and attach the stem to the wire with floral tape. Then, place another flower behind the first and tape that stem to the wire as well. Repeat this process until you have completed one side of the crown.

For the other side, place a flower next to your centre flower so that the flower heads are facing each other, and work your way down the wire. Cover any exposed wire with floral tape.

Finally, clip the remaining stems to make them even, and use a piece of greenery to create an even look on both ends of the crown. Simply turn the greenery the opposite way and wrap it with florist tape to cover the ends of the stems.

Your flower crown is now complete! You can store it in the fridge, covered with damp paper towels, for up to three days.

Using glue and wiring

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need a hair comb, which can be purchased from any general store and selected based on your hair type and the desired size of your hair piece. If you have thin hair, opt for a smaller comb, and if you have thick hair, go for a larger one. You will also need a hot glue gun, cold floral glue, floral wire and wire cutters, and pliers. Card stock can be used as a structural component, so choose a subtle colour that will not stand out too much.

Next, prepare your flowers and any other decorative elements you wish to include, such as fern leaves or other greenery. If you are using fresh flowers, ensure they are in good condition and will last through the day. You can also use silk flowers or other artificial flowers if you prefer.

Now, it's time to start assembling your hair piece. Begin by securing the wire to the hair comb using pliers. Tuck the sharp, cut end of the wire under itself, and place the cut ends on the top of the comb to avoid any scratches. Then, attach your base elements, such as fern leaves, by wrapping the wire around the comb and the leaf, weaving in between the teeth of the comb.

Once your base is secure, it's time to add your flowers. Use cold floral glue to adhere the flowers to the comb and base elements. Cold floral glue is ideal for fresh flowers as it adheres in a flexible manner and causes less damage to the blooms. Be careful not to use hot glue, as it can burn and damage the flowers.

Finally, allow the glue to dry completely before wearing your hair piece. You can add extra security by using floral tape to attach the flowers, wrapping it around the stems and comb.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful, handmade wedding hair piece to complete your bridal look.

Adding crystals

Crystals are a great way to add some sparkle to your wedding hairpiece. Here are some tips and tricks to help you add crystals to your bridal hair accessory:

Choose the Right Crystals:

Before you start, it is important to select the right crystals for your hairpiece. Consider the colour and size of the crystals, as well as whether you want flat back or hot fix crystals. Flat back crystals are attached with craft glue or sewn on, while hot fix crystals have a heat-sensitive adhesive and are applied using a hot tool.

Plan Your Design:

Decide on the placement of the crystals before you start attaching them. Do you want to add crystals to the entire hairpiece, or just accent certain areas? Perhaps you want to focus on the centre, the sides, or create a pattern? Planning your design beforehand will ensure a neat and cohesive look.

Gather Your Tools:

Depending on your chosen method of attachment, you will need different tools. For hot fix crystals, you will need a hot tool, while flat back crystals will require craft glue, tweezers, and tin foil. If sewing your crystals, you will, of course, need a needle and thread. Ensure your thread matches the colour of your hairpiece to avoid it standing out.

Attaching the Crystals:

Now it's time to add the crystals to your hairpiece! If using hot fix crystals, arrange your crystals on the hairpiece and then apply the hot tool to fix them in place. Be careful not to shake the hairpiece until the crystals are fully adhered. For flat back crystals, use tweezers to carefully pick up each crystal, apply a small amount of glue, and then place it on the hairpiece. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it adheres properly. When sewing, follow your planned design and carefully sew each crystal onto the hairpiece. Remember, avoid making any mistakes as needle holes will be permanent!

Choosing a base

The base of your hairpiece is an important consideration, as it will determine how you attach the piece to your hair, as well as how you attach any decorative elements to the base itself.

The most common bases for wedding hair pieces are combs, headbands, bobby pins, and hair cuffs. Combs can be plastic or metal, and are a good option if you want your hairpiece to be secure and you don't plan on taking it out for the duration of the wedding. Bobby pins are a good option if you want something more understated and easy to remove, while still providing some bling to your hair. Hair cuffs are ideal if you have long hair and want to keep it pulled back, while headbands are a good option for shorter hair or if you want to add a vintage flair to your bridal look.

Once you've selected your base, you'll need to gather the necessary materials to attach your decorative elements. If you're using a comb, you'll need floral wire and wire cutters, and possibly some floral tape. For headbands, bobby pins, and hair cuffs, you'll need a hot glue gun or strong adhesive glue, and possibly some needle and thread if you're attaching fabric decorations.

If you're attaching flowers to your base, you'll also need to consider the weight and size of the flowers, as well as the weight of your hair. Smaller and lighter flowers are more suitable for thin hair, while larger and heavier flowers work better with thick hair.

Frequently asked questions